Digital Platform Policy Highlights - Digest 31
Q1 2024 to Q3 2024 Policy Changes: This post shows how big tech is reshaping their platforms and policies to handle the pressure from EU regulations. ⚖️
This post is part six of a series documenting policy changes and feature improvements introduced by platforms in Q1 2024 to Q3 2024.
TL; DR→ Here are policy changes to address external regulations:
TikTok improves data portability, as EU regulatory deadline looms
Apple Reinstates Epic Games' Developer License Amid EU Regulatory Pressure
TikTok to Launch Localized Election Centers Across the EU
TikTok has announced plans to launch localized election resources within its app next month to serve users in each of the European Union’s 27 Member States. These "Election Centers" will provide access to trusted information, involving collaboration with local electoral commissions and civil society organizations. The move comes as the European Commission plans to more strictly enforce disinformation rules under the Digital Services Act. It's refreshing to see TikTok taking the initiative and teaming up with electoral commissions, especially considering how social media platforms have handled content moderation in the past. (link)
Google tweaks data linking policies to comply with EU’s DMA
Google has announced it will stop the default linking of personal data across user accounts for certain products, a practice previously used to personalize content and ads. This change comes in response to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which prohibits the use of personal data for advertising without explicit user consent. One can't help but wonder how this separation of data will impact the efficacy of targeted advertising. For instance, if YouTube doesn't know that I got an email about that abandoned cart, will it still tempt me with those noise-canceling headphones I was eyeing? (link)
TikTok improves data portability, as EU regulatory deadline looms
Prodded by the EU’s new Digital Markets Act, TikTok has rolled out a new data portability API, allowing third-party developers to create tools for transferring user data from TikTok to their own apps, provided users grant authorization. This feature can be configured for both recurring and one-time data transfers and aims to challenge the traditional "walled garden" approach common among social networks. TikTok’s API is a major departure from traditional social network practices, where platforms were reluctant to divulge user data for free. Given that others (e.g., India) are considering such portability laws, it will be interesting to observe whether TikTok will blaze a trail to a more open and interconnected social media ecosystem. (link)
Apple Reinstates Epic Games' Developer License Amid EU Regulatory Pressure
Apple has reinstated Epic Games' iOS developer license, after revoking it when Epic’s CEO criticized Apple’s compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) as "hot garbage”. EU regulators had taken an interest in the situation, investigating whether Apple’s earlier ban of Epic’s developer account violated the Digital Services Act. This regulatory tug-of-war makes me wonder how much influence EU pressure will continue to have on tech giants’ policies, and whether Apple will eventually soften its stance on other developers too. (link)
Apple to make switching to Android easier
Apple has announced plans to offer a more "user-friendly" method for transferring data from an iPhone to a non-Apple device by fall 2025. These changes are part of Apple's efforts to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which seeks to reduce the dominance of major tech companies and increase consumer choice. While it remains to be seen whether this feature will be available globally or limited to the EU, it represents a significant step. Whether it truly changes user behavior or simply serves as a compliance checkbox for Apple is yet to be determined. (link)
Spain Approves Law to Regulate Influencers
The Spanish government has approved a new law aimed at regulating online content creators – aiming to protect minors online and make online advertising by influencers more transparent. In essence, this law brings online content creators closer to their traditional media counterparts in terms of accountability and transparency. Whether this shift ultimately lessens the burden of content moderation on social media platforms themselves presents another intriguing facet to this evolving regulatory landscape. Should this indeed alleviate the content moderation burden, it's reasonable to anticipate some platforms advocating for similar regulations across diverse jurisdictions. (link)
India Mandates Government Approval for AI Model Launches
India has reversed its stance on AI regulation by issuing an advisory that requires "significant" tech firms to obtain government approval before launching new AI models. The advisory, issued by the Ministry of Electronics and IT, also mandates that companies ensure their AI products and services do not permit bias, discrimination, or threaten the integrity of the electoral process. A few Indian and American tech companies have criticized the move as heavy-handed. This regulation positions India as a more active regulator in the global AI landscape, though not as restrictive as some other countries. India's decisive move will soon provide a valuable data point in the ongoing debate surrounding whether proactive regulation stifles innovation or guides it toward a more productive path. (link)
Research help from Jennifer Xie, Angelina Wang, John Mai, Marshall Singer, Anantesh Mohapatra and Anna Li (Thanks a ton, folks!)
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